Everyone seems to have pride for their city. Being at a school where we all come from different cities and backgrounds, you can tell the ones who bleed their cities football team colors, or just rant about their city on the daily. Living in Cleveland for over a year, I have realized that many Clevelanders have excessive pride toward their city. But I have seen no greater pride than people from Buffalo, aka Buffalonians. Maybe it's just my love for the city, or maybe it's the fact that I've lived there my entire life, but I love my city and I miss it every day while I'm here at John Carroll.
1. Buffalo smells like Cheerios.
I mean exactly what I say. As you drive past the General Mills plant towards downtown Buffalo, you can smell the scent of Cheerios, as long as you're within a five-mile radius of the plant.
2. They are "wings," nothing else.
People from anywhere else but Buffalo call them "Buffalo wings." No. When you're from Buffalo, they are and only will they ever be wings. Forget the adjective before "wings."
3. There's nothing like a real Buffalo winter.
Living in Cleveland, everyone complains about the snow, but when you're from Buffalo, you embrace it. Getting school to close in Buffalo is nearly impossible because we're up to the challenge of any amount of snow Mother Nature wants to throw at us. In Cleveland, classes are cancelled when snow reaches three inche. Buffalonians would laugh and say, "Have you seen our recent snow storm?" Remember that big Snowvember storm last year? Yeah, no one else could have handled it, but Buffalo did.
4. Dyngus Day is an actual holiday.
This is the one day in the year where everyone is Polish. I don't know why no one else has heard of this holiday, but it's my favorite (specifically because I'm Polish). Put your polka shoes on and grab your pussy willows (or water gun if you're a boy) and get to the Polish district.
5. When it comes to St. Patty's Day, everyone is Irish (just like on Dyngus Day).
Buffalo is home to one of the biggest and baddest St. Patty's Day parades, so your green outfits are necessary and so is your Irish or not-so-Irish heritage.
6. Buffalo runs on Tim Hortons.
Once I hit Erie, I know I won't be able to get my true addiction anymore...Tim Hortons coffee. Yes, it is a Canadian legacy, but let's be honest, Buffalo is just a hop, skip, and a jump over the border. "Timmy Hoes," as the locals call it, bleeds through each Buffalonians blood.
7. The Eternal Flame isn't just a song.
Located in Orchard Park (home of the Bills), all Western New Yorkers have gone at least once and hiked the trail. At the end of the steep trek, a flame is lit by natural gas. It's something that must be seen!
8. Nothing gets between Buffalonians and their sports teams.
Being a Bills fan sometimes gives us little hope when it comes to making it to the Super Bowl. This doesn't stop us from bearing negative temperatures to watch the Bills play. We just suit up in red, white, and blue in scarves, hats, and mittens and go and support our team that we love.
9. Sahlen's hot dogs are the best.
Eating a hot dog from any other company just isn't the same. They're gross and seem more unnatural than any hot dog should be. Go to Ted's if you want to see what I'm talking about.
10. The Broadway Market is the spot to be during Easter time.
Whether you're 5 or 50, there is something for you at the Broadway Market. Local meats and desserts are always the go-to during Easter time. The line may have a wait of 15 minutes to get a pierogi, but it'll be the best pierogi you will eat.
11. Our grain silos are beer cans.
Just recently, the six grain silos along the Buffalo River were transformed into Labatt Blue cans. Now, as boaters or kayakers go by, you can see the six ginormous beer cans that Buffalo has pride in.
12. There is a restaurant named after the area code.
What tops the list is the restaurant downtown that is the new hype of Buffalo. Named after Buffalo's area code, 716, is the trendiest place to eat. Not only is it a restaurant, it is also the go-to sports zone in all of Buffalo since the size of the TVs are bigger than most. This is the place any Buffalo sports fanatic would want to eat.
All of these reasons are why I am obsessed with Buffalo. Nothing is better than what my city represents: Buffalove.
